Page 1609 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 1 April 2009
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Mr Corbell: I have the call, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: I know it is embarrassing.
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Sit down, Mr Smyth. Mr Corbell.
Mr Corbell: Madam Deputy Speaker, the standing order is there for members to explain where they have been misrepresented and to contain their comments to the factual elements where they believe they have been misrepresented.
MR SMYTH: I want to explain. I want to put the facts on the table.
Mr Corbell: It is not about advancing a debate or making accusations against other members.
Mr Hanson: He would have been finished if you hadn’t been calling him on points of order, Simon.
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Excuse me, Mr Hanson; Mr Corbell has the floor.
MR SMYTH: No; Mary was given the opportunity yesterday and you did not object then.
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Mr Smyth.
Mr Barr: Do it in the adjournment debate, Brendan. You’re a child. You are a child.
MR SMYTH: You were out for coffee, sport; go and have another coffee.
Mrs Dunne: On the point of order—
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Excuse me; I am just listening to Mr Corbell at the moment. Take a seat, Mrs Dunne.
Mr Corbell: Madam Deputy Speaker, the standing order is quite clear. It allows members to explain the facts where they have been misrepresented. It does not permit members to advance other arguments; it does not permit members to advance broader debate. It is a straightforward explanation—nothing more or less than that. Mr Smyth has explained where he has been misrepresented, and that should be the end of his statement. Anything beyond that and he is out of order.
MADAM DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr Corbell. Mrs Dunne.
Mrs Dunne: On the point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker: it is quite clear that Mr Smyth’s explanation, by the nature of misrepresentation yesterday, needs to be somewhat complex. Mr Smyth has attempted to draw the Assembly’s attention to a number of instances which put the lie to the statement made by the minister yesterday and, because it is somewhat complex and it covers a period of a number of years,
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